Drawings Released of New Metra Union Pacific North Station in Edgewater

EDGEWATER — New conceptual drawings and site plans of a planned commuter station at Ravenswood and Peterson avenues show a track-level warming station and parking on the east side of the Union Pacific North railway tracks.

Metra officials confirmed late last year that the station was in the planning stages.

The drawings, on display at two recent community meetings hosted by Ald. Pat O'Connor (40th), show the warming station clad with red brick, tan stone and floor-to-ceiling windows.

O'Connor said the tracks would be accessible on both sides for trains heading north and south.

He also said $10 million had been allocated for the project.

Metra spokesman Michael Gillis said the design and environmental impact study were commissioned in September and planning should take about 18 months.

Andrew Strand, co-founder of the neighborhood group Friends of West Edgewater Park, said the station would rejuvenate the neighborhood.

The station will be the fourth overall stop on the line coming from Ogilvie Transportation Center in the West Loop. As of now, non-express trains stop at Clybourn, Ravenswood and Rogers Park within the city. Since Metra was formed in 1984, it has not added a station to the line.

Metra began reconstruction of the Ravenswood station on Sept. 5 as part of a $215 million project to replace Union Pacific North bridges over 22 streets on the north side of the city, most of which are at least 100 years old, according to a press release.

The new station would help to serve growing ridership in the area. Ravenswood is now the busiest station on the line, Gillis said.